Chapter III Chapter III

Powers and Functions of Commission

1. (1) The Commission shall, while inquiring into complaints under this Act, have all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely :—
   • (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of the State and examining him on oath ;
   • (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document ;
   • (c) receiving evidence on affidavits ;
   • (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office ;
   • (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents ; and
   • (f) any other matter which may be prescribed.
2. (2) If required, the Commission shall send a copy of its inquiry report alongwith its recommendations to the Government or concerned authority, as the case may be and the Government or concerned authority shall, forward its compliance on the report, including the action taken or proposed to be taken thereon, within the time limit fixed by the Commission.

The functions of the Commission shall be as follows, namely :—

1. (a) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under the Constitution of India or any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards ;
2. (b) to inquire into specific complaints with respects to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes ;
3. (c) to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes and to evaluate the progress of their development in the State ;
4. (d) to present to the Government, annually and at such other time as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards ;
5. (e) to make recommendations as to the measures that shall be taken by the State Government for the effective implementation of the safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes ;
6. (f) to discharge such other functions in relation to protection, welfare and development and advancement of the Scheduled Castes, as may be prescribed;
7. (g) to conduct studies, research into the problems of Scheduled Castes and report the same to the Government for appropriate action ;
8. (h) to review, from time to time, the existing provisions of the laws affecting Scheduled Castes, and recommend amendments thereto so as to suggest remedial legislative measures to meet any lacunae, inadequacies or shortcomings in such laws ;
   • (i) to undertake review of the implementation of the policies pursued by the Union and State Government with respect to Scheduled Castes ;
9. (j) to suggest appropriate welfare measures in respect of Scheduled Castes to be undertaken by the State Government : Provided that, if any matter specified in this section is undertaken by the National Commission for Schedule Castes established under article 338 of the Constitution of India, the Maharashtra State Commission for Scheduled Castes shall cease to have jurisdiction on such matter.

The Government shall consult the Commission on the major policy matters affecting Scheduled Castes.